The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-08-27
A TRUE STORY OF TRUE LOVE.
Extract from Old Orchard letter to Boston
 Herald,

who have returned is Mrs. R. NJ Thompson, of New York. Mrs. Thompson has always been one of the social leaders here, and she has always made things bright and lively. This year, however, she is dressed in deep black, and she is hardly ever seen out, except attended by nurse girl with baby carriage, luxuriously appoint ed, in which is lovely baby, one ot the daintiest bits of humanity that can be imagined. It is Mrs. Thomp- sons little orphaned grandchild, the child of her eldest son and his wife, the beautiful and accomplished daugh- ter of Senator Murphy, of New York. The story of this baby's parents is full of romance and pathos, and it is well worth the telling. Last summer MT. Thompson was called suddenly home by the illness of his son in Paris, and although few days later more hope ful news came over the cable, yet it was not long before Mir. Thompson came home, bringing with him the body of the son and the bereaved young wife, who soon after followed, leaving this bit of a baby and one lit- tie daughter as legacy to the broken hearted parents. The affection of this couple had been lifelong. As tiny children they had played together; a little later they were partners at danc- ing school and at children's parties. He was manly little fellow, and she a lovely child. When they were ten years old he led his little sweetheart ill to his mother, and gravely an- nounced that they were engaged, and that Amelia's mother had given her consent. The parents treated it as a huge joke, but the little pair were quite in earnest, and when at nineteen he was through college he married his playmate who was then sixteen. Tax ing the foreign business of his fathers house he and his bride went to live in Paris. They were literally children, perfect pair of babies in the world, and every ybody who knew them in the gay French capital wondered at their youth and beauty and admired their devotion. A little girl came to them by and by, and those who used to see this youthful mother with her baby said it was like child playing with a doll, she was so girlish herself. Last summer the young husband received an injury which resulted in his death. The little wife was heart broken, and came home to her fathers house to give birth to this baby and then die. Every effort was made to save her, but she simply did not want to live. Her whole desire was to go to her husband. Her father begged her to live for his sake, but she only said "No, l love you, papa, but 1 want Robert, and cannot stay away from him." Day by day she grew weaker, and, although there was no trace of disease about her, they saw that she was simply letting go on life and slip ping away from them. There was no pain, no suffering; it was just a fad ing away. One day the doctor said to the stricken father: "It is only ques- tion of hours" She heard him, al- though it was not intended that she should, and when the physician went away she turned to her father, her face radiant with happiness. "Papa," she saids "I want you to have Marie [her little daughter], and she will take my 4place to you; and, Mamma Thompson, 1 want you to have Rob- bic, for he will take the place of the Robbie you gave me. You will not miss us so much because you have our little children. 1 would like to have stayed with you myself if could, but l can't stay away from my husband; he wants me more than you do." That was her goodbye, and little later she passed peacefully away, happy in her firm faith that she was going to Rob- ert. The baby, born in the midst of all this sorrow, is as joyous and happy as possible. It seems to be veritable bit of sunshine sent into the gloom of the hearts that received him. Is it strange that, with this romantic story back of him, this baby should be the centre of attraction, and that every one who comes in contact with him should feel constrained to give him bit of genuine heart love for the sake of those who have gone and left him here? His grandmamma is devoted to him, and is his most rrdent lover and willing slave. Nobody but herself is allowed to bathe or dress him, and when he is awake he is always with her. She says that he is dearer to her than any other child has ever been, for she has to love him for herself and his mother too.
 "Oh, no, ma'am," pleaded the tramp, l~s.